Looking for a Medium Khaki Eagle MARCIRAS…
Eagle says they are not making any right now and I have to order 25 to get them to make any…obviously that’s not going to work.
SKD is out, Triad Tactical is out, a few others haven’t called me back yet…yatta, yatta, yatta!
Any suggestions of good places to deal with who might have any?
This is getting downright frustrating!
Thanks as always!
Sparky
Try www.optactical.com I believe they have a medium MARCIRAS in MJK and if thats a no go try Ebay, someones always got a Khaki CIRAS for sale.
Thanks, optactical is out also. E-bay only has od and cheap airsoft knock-offs. Still looking…Eagle should be sending me a list of possibles. Keep the ideas coming!
Sparky
I suspect that one reason Eagle is not making many of them now is because there isn’t the demand for the CIRAS as there once was. While the design is sound, it is a bit dated now and there are much nicer systems on the market.
Is there a specific reason why you want a CIRAS?
Mainly the comfort and versatility…the QR is nice, even though I don’t plan on being on fire and having to get out of it quickly at any time. If y’all have suggestions on "nicer"systems, please suggest. I have just heard nothing but good comments about them and I know Eagle has an excellent reputation for quality and durability! Thanks and please make suggestions as I know your input is backed by serious experience!
Sparky
A few stray thoughts…
If you intend for any rig to be more than just a “shoot’n thang” to take to the range or to a course, then you have to not only “run it” but live with it.
The odds are that if someday you have a need to throw on your rig and grab your rifle, most of your time in it will not be spent shooting. Can you drive with it? Sleep well with it? Sit in a woods for long periods of time, etc.
Those 10+ mags get to be a real pain as those sweaty shoulder straps dig into your back.
Adrenaline, be it on the range or in real life can make you forget about even the worse vests.
It is like a spouse who is great in bed, but a terrible cook and housekeeper… hard to live with .
I.N.,
This info was very instrumental in my “choice” as well. As I said above, I am very open to suggestions for options…but MARCIRAS has been the one that seems to offer the most benefits with the least drawbacks so far.
Sparky
I like my Mayflower MOLLE armor carrier heads and shoulders over my old CIRAS.
I also have a Mayflower and like it a lot.
End users have been wanting lightweight vests for years. Sadly, the industry and the military were a bit slow to jump on the bandwagon.
The main way to make a vest lighter is to use light material. 1000D has been the standard for many years, but companies like Mayflower, London Bridge, Paraclete, etc are using lighter nylon like 500D.
The other way to make a vest lighter is to move stuff off the vest (and thus off your shoulders) and on the belt.
So, unless you have a professional need to wear a full vest, think about what your needs are. I still wear my Crye CAGE, but only because it gives me great protection against blasts.
The Mayflower is my choice when I am not worried about IEDs.
Thanks…great advice and I’ll check into the Mayflower. The guys that I’ve talked to that have RAVs are just not to happy with them after they have tried other vests. As you can tell I have an evolving “requirement” list. Thanks so much for your help and service!
Sparky
In all this I have learned that EI will stop offering the CIRAS line (at least to the public; I’m sure it will still offer for Mil Contracts) and collapse it into the LE line and offer the other colors (Khaki, MC, etc). EI is making them now but standard lead time is 15 weeks (SKD confirmed that was what they were told also). I checked into the Mayflower and it looks interesting. I will keep investigating. PLease continue to post suggestions!
Thanks to all!
Sparky
500D is the way to go, and check out Eclipse carriers and buy it if you can. Guy who designed the CIRAS designed the Eclipse RBAV too 
And to think he is now working for CRYE
Anyhow, I replaced my CIRAS with the RBAV and have not looked back
I have used the land CIRAS and the RAV and my preference is for the RAV. I just prefer the cut of the RAV armor over the BALCS that the CIRAS uses, it just seems to fit me better. Plus not having the stiffener in the C-bund seems like it forms to your body better. I have only used the zip front model for what its worth…
I have seen quite a few of the RBAV in use over here and while it is lighter I wasnt impressed.